BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Regular Meeting June 2, 2014
Lower Level Conference Room 6:30 P.M.
*Minutes are not official until approved at the next regular meeting
First Selectman Mailhos called the meeting to order at 6:32 P.M. with the following in attendance: Selectmen Kowalyshyn & Blessington, Dr. Lyle Wray of CRCOG as well as representatives from CL&P and residents. First Selectman Mailhos led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to approve the minutes of May 19, 2014 as written.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion with the following edit: under C-Pace; second to last paragraph; first sentence; remove the word “in” (as they have mandated in the past).
Also, Selectman Blessington added that under item D (Personnel Policy) he made statements that were accurate in the minutes but would like to set the record straight and will do so under present to speak.
Vote 3 Yes (Mailhos Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Present to Speak:
- Dr. Lyle D. Wray, Executive Director of Capital Region Council of Governments
First Selectman Mailhos thanked Dr. Wray for coming and stated that Willington will be joining CRCOG on July 1st, as WINCOG has been dissolved. Dr. Wray handed out some literature regarding CRCOG and welcomed Willington to the council. CRCOG has been around for 50 years and will be welcoming 8 new members in July. He assured that Willington being a smaller community will not get swallowed; noting that Hartford only has three votes out of thirty eight in the region. He then added that CRCOG has many sub-regional caucuses such as Farmington Valley group or Berlin/Cromwell/rocky hill / Newington that meet on a regular basis. CRCOG has a purchasing council, which allows them to make large purchases that are shared among several towns. For example, CRCOG has recently
received a $1.3 million grant for IT service improvements that has virtual desktops, which are backed up and secure. They also are implementing an Electronic Document Management System, which scans incoming mail into a computer system to name a few. Dr. Wray added that public safety is also a big part of CRCOG and 34 towns are currently in the homeland security group.
Dr. Wray told the Selectmen that CRCOG is a meeting place to bring issues that are bothering them to the table and the group will try to work on a resolution together. Lastly, transportation and traffic studies are a big part of CRCOG. Dr. Wray noted that they are working on launching a rapid transit service between Hartford and UCONN Storrs, which Willington could reap benefits in March of 2015. They also perform many traffic studies, such as recent ones in Tolland as well as Storrs. He indicated that we should feel welcome when attending the meetings. Lastly, the budget is available online and the monthly reports will also be sent out.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that one of her major concerns is to make sure that the GIS website will still be available. Dr. Wray stated that CRCOG will be blending three systems together. He noted that CRCOG’s system is older, and everyone relies on it so they are planning to upgrade the system when they merge them together. The Towns that will be joining CRCOG are: Willington, Columbia, Mansfield, Coventry, New Britain, Berlin, Plainville and Southington.
Dr. Wray added that CRCOG takes emergency management very seriously. They rolled out the “Get Ready Capitol Region Citizen Preparedness Campaign” and launched a website to inform residents. He added that the website is very active just before a storm hits. He welcomed the Selectmen to CRCOG and told them to feel welcome at the next meeting. The Selectmen thanked him for coming.
Selectman Blessington stated at the last meeting, he made some statements off the cuff, and was not prepared as the discussion was not on the agenda at the time. He realized afterwards that the statements were not accurate. The reference of the Tax Collector and Assessor being changed from elected to appointed was not accurate: The Tax Collector was changed to being an appointment in the year 1999 and the Assessor was changed in 1986. He apologized for that. He then added that he referenced former First Selectman Patton proposed to change the Town Clerk and the Treasurer to appointed as well and there was also reference to state law. Mr. Patton was present and clarified that the Treasurer and Town Clerk were given the opportunity to change to appointed, but neither were interested in doing so. He then added that it is not against state law for either position to be appointed. Selectman Blessington apologized to Mr. Patton for his previous remarks.
Correspondence:
A list of correspondence was available at the meeting and in the Selectman’s office.
First Selectman Status Report
First Selectman Mailhos went over the updated report:
- Performance Contracting – the boiler work has begun. A meeting will be held next week to go over the baseline; and then the close out meeting will be held soon thereafter.
- Old Town Hall Renovations – The Contractor is moving along with the various projects. The concrete floor and footings will be poured in the basement in the next few weeks.
- Polster Bridge – A meeting will be held tomorrow with the Town Engineer, Public Works Director and the Zoning Agent. First Selectman Mailhos stated that she is hopeful the Town Engineer will have the plans done so he can get Planning and Zoning approval before we go to Town meeting in August.
- Turnpike Road Phase 2 – Construction is moving along. The road will not be closed until after school has been let out.
- Turnpike Road- Phase 3 – We have been awarded a $500,000 STEAP grant to proceed with Phase 3. The survey work and design work is forthcoming. First Selectman Mailhos stated that she needs to figure out the details on what the estimated costs will be.
- Personnel Policy Review – The Town Attorney has made some recommendations for the policy. Once they have been implemented, another meeting will be set up to review the policy with the revisions.
- Maintenance /repair issues at TOB – has been added as a line item on the status report. We have a list of items that need to be addressed. One of the recent projects was to have the carpets cleaned and have scheduled to have the floors buffed.
Public Works:
Derek reported that the crew has been working on the following tasks:
Sweeping of roads
Vehicle repairs
Cleaning of waterways
Repairs at T.O.B.
Grading of parking lot at Halls Pond
Sweeping should be done within the next couple weeks at most
Also I would like to Thank Todd Hettlinger for representing the Public Works Department at this years touch a truck on operating a Street Sweeper.
Turnpike Road:
The contractor is moving along as of the end of today there are six structures (catch basins) installed and piping to each.
Senior Housing Pump Station:
had a well contractor replaced well pump #2 ( you can put the amount if you like I don't have the exact figure it was about 1,680.00 dollars)
New Business
- CL&P Clean Energy Communities presentation.
Natalia Sudyka and Samantha Sojka of CL&P presented the Selectmen with an overview of the program. The Clean Energy Community program is funded by CEFIA (Clean Energy Finance Investment Authority) and CEEF (CT Energy Efficiency Fund). So far 100,000 cities in the US have signed the pledge and on to the program. Ms. Sudka clarified that the pledge is not a contract and there are no penalties if the goals are not met. The pledge states that the Town of Willington pledges to reduce it’s municipal building energy consumption by 20% by 2018, using 2009 as a baseline. First Selectman Mailhos noted that we may have already done that; as we have recently gone through the Performance Contracting project and is not sure that we can do any more than we already have. She clarified
that the pledge is also based off of a points system, which would make the Town eligible for energy saving incentives. For example, every 100 points earned, the town would receive a 1kilowatt clean energy system, through CEFIA. CEEF offers a “Bright Idea Grant” that can be used for energy saving projects for every 100 points earned. The points are accumulated through participation of our residents as well as our businesses. Households who participate in the “Home Energy Solutions program” , or ones that redeem residential rebates will earn points towards the goal. Businesses who participate in programs will also earn points. Ms. Sudyka added that the C-Pace program is also worth 10 percent of the program – just for offering it to our businesses.
CL&P has prepared a study from January 2010. The Town currently has 52 points towards the Bright Idea Grant (based on 153 residential home participants and 182 business and municipal accounts).
Discussion was held regarding item #2 which states the Town pledges to purchase 20% (in increments, beginning at 16% in the first fiscal year) of its municipal building electricity from clean, renewable energy sources by 2018.
First Selectman Mailhos stated that might not be possible, as we go out to bid for our electric rates. Sometimes the green rate is not always possible because of cost. Selectman Kowalyshyn asked if we can promote the energy savings program to our residents. Ms. Sudyka stated that CL&P would set up a booth at local events to promote the program. Selectman Blessington suggested the flea market in September would be the next upcoming event. First Selectman Mailhos stated that the Energy Advisory Committee had a table at a Willington Day event a few years ago and encouraged sign-ups for the energy program, however there was no way to track how many people signed up. Ms. Sudyka agreed that there was no good way to track it a few years ago, but since then they have improved the system and added a
website which now keeps track of the number of households who participate. They also offer a mailing to residents to inform them of the energy savings programs. First Selectman Mailhos stated that she will contact the members of the EAC to see if she can rejuvenate the committee. We will then have them contact Ms. Sudkya to meet with her to promote the program.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to authorize the First Selectman to sign the Clean Energy Communities Municipal Pledge.
First Selectman Mailhos seconded the motion.
Selectman Blessington cautioned that the Town might not be able to purchase the amount of clean energy required as per the pledge. Selectman Kowalyshyn clarified that we will not be penalized. Selectman Blessington warned that he will start screaming if we pay more for electricity just to go green in hopes to get this grant; but he will go along with it.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
- Appointment – Historic District
First Selectman Mailhos moved to appoint Richard Mueller as an alternate member of the Willington Historic District, effective June 2, 2014; expiring January 1, 2017.
Selectman Kowalyshyn seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to re-appoint Laurie Masciandro as a regular member of the Willington Historic District, retro-active January 1, 2014; expiring January 1, 2019.
Selectman seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
We received two bids:
Company |
Price per gallon |
Labor rate per hour |
Labor rate after hours per hour |
Labor rate holiday/weekend per hour |
Trip charge |
Osterman Propane |
$1.799 |
$1.799 |
$99.00 |
$148.50 |
$55.00 |
High Grade Gas Service, Inc. |
$1.695 |
$1.695 |
$90.00 |
$180.00 |
$50* *on service only |
Discussion was held on the difference between the after hour and holiday rates. Stuart Cobb asked how many times we will need to call for after hours or holiday labor. First Selectman Mailhos agreed and stated that the regular labor rate is lower and the price per gallon is cheaper.
First Selectman Mailhos moved to award the propane contract to High Grade Gas Service, Inc. as per their bid of $1.695 per gallon.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Good & Welfare
First Selectman Mailhos stated that we received a letter addressed to the Veteran’s Service Contact Person. They have a state funded program available to veterans and their families who are experience a financial hardship due to their military service. They have asked us to promote the program through the Town.
First Selectman Mailhos thanked the Willington Day Committee and congratulated Melissa McKinnon on her first year as Chairman for the event. She stated it went well. Selectman Blessington stated he still thinks Monday is a better day for the event to be held. First Selectman Mailhos stated that she plans to encourage the committee to send out a survey to see if vendors have any feedback. Perhaps it would be better on a different weekend, altogether.
Selectman Blessington sadly mentioned the recent passing of Doug Stanish, who owned and operated Willington Auto Body.
Selectman Kowalyshyn moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 P.M.
Selectman Blessington seconded the motion.
Vote: 3 Yes (Mailhos, Kowalyshyn & Blessington) 0 No.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin Campbell
Administrative Assistant
| 
